Darryl Bonner, D.J. Palmore named 2017 Navy football team captains

Senior slot back Darryl Bonner (pictured) and outside linebacker D.J. Palmore were elected team captains for the 2017 football season by their teammates.

Senior slot back Darryl Bonner (pictured) and outside linebacker D.J. Palmore were elected team captains for the 2017 football season by their teammates. (By Paul W. Gillespie / Capital Gazette)

Navy head football coach Ken Niumatalolo announced Friday night at the annual Navy football banquet that rising seniors slot back Darryl Bonner and outside linebacker D.J. Palmore have been elected team captains for the 2017 football season by their teammates.

"Being elected team captain at the Naval Academy is one of the highest honors you can receive at an institution that prides itself on producing great leaders," said Niumatalolo. "Darryl and D.J. are not only outstanding football players, but they are great leaders in the locker room and in Bancroft Hall and I have no doubt that they will be great captains for us."

Bonner, who entered his junior campaign with two career yards of total offense (rushing), turned into "Big Play" Darryl in 2016. He rushed for 229 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries (7.6 yards per carry), catching 10 passes for 278 yards (27.8 yards per catch) and three touchdowns and returning two kickoffs for 71 yards (35.5 yards per return). He averaged 14.0 yards every time he touched the ball.

Palmore has started 25 career games for the Mids at outside linebacker, including 12 starts last fall. He was Navy's fourth-leading tackler a year ago with 56 stops, while leading the team in sacks (six) and tackles for a loss (11.5). In his career, Palmore has recorded 99 tackles, 16.5 tackles for a loss and eight sacks.